Explainer-The Tech Green-Card Program Under Attack From Trump

The U.S. government said on Thursday that it is suspending participation by several major global tech and IT firms, including Microsoft and Cognizant, from a key Employment-Based green card program that allows skilled foreign workers to pursue permanent residency in the United States. The program uses labor certifications to ensure that hiring foreign workers does not adversely affect domestic job opportunities and wages. Officials did not immediately specify how long the suspensions will last or how many petitions are affected, but described the action as part of ongoing compliance checks and enforcement to curb potential abuses of the system. The move reflects a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten immigration rules for high-skilled workers and to scrutinize sponsorship practices by multinational companies. Industry observers and immigration attorneys said the suspensions could slow or complicate the path to permanent residency for employees sponsored under the program, potentially affecting workers across the tech sector, including those within the Indian diaspora who rely on these channels. Government officials emphasized that the measures could be temporary and contingent on firms meeting required compliance standards, with some suggesting that reinstatement would depend on demonstrated adherence to program rules.